The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs presented their award-winning annual public art festival ELEVATE in various locations around Southwest Atlanta in October 2018. This temporary public art initiative infused culture through visual art, performances, and cultural events. The theme was SWATS (Southwest Atlanta, Too Strong) and celebrated the area’s accomplishments and identity.
Office of Cultural Affairs Elevate Poster
The initiative included a mural honoring the community’s five Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients, a mural by world-renowned street artist Ceet (through a partnership with France-Atlanta) and a performance by the renowned Alvin Ailey II.
Artist: Corey Barksdale, 2018
Artist: CEET, 2018
Local cultural institutions such as Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company, Dancemakers of Atlanta, and the Arnika Dawkins Gallery were also featured in the programming.
